Planning for a safe and sober holiday

TRENTON — New Year’s Eve is a major social holiday for many people in the United States. The Division of Highway and Traffic Safety, and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recommend to alcohol consumers to drink responsibly on New Year’s Eve.

“We want to make sure that drivers passengers and pedestrians consume alcohol in a responsible way during and after their New Year’s Eve celebration”, said HTS interim-director Gary Poedubicky.

“When making your new year’s plans designate a driver or arrange for public transportation. If you’re able to spend the night at a friends home rather than driving please do so. If you plan on drinking and going back home please make sure you have a friend or family member that can drive you home”, said Poedubicky.

There will be increased police presence on state and municipal roads starting at around 6 p.m. with expectations of sobriety checkpoints throughout the holiday.

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BC director Michael Halfacre announced that his agency has joined with the HERO campaign, a federal program which allots $4,400 to local agencies to patrol streets on New Year’s Eve.

“To drink and drive is a choice we, want to make sure that people know that we will have zero tolerance for those who choose to put in danger their lives and the lives of others”, said Halfacre

Police officers patrolling the streets will have control stops where they will randomly stop drivers in order to find those who are drinking and driving. Last year the HERO campaign and statewide control stops resulted in 1,877 arrests from these stops.

Halfacre also reminds bar and nightclub operators that they are not permitted to serve alcohol to those who seem to be already intoxicated.

“There are potentially grave consequences that come from the excess consumption of alcohol, bars and restaurants should ensure a responsible service to their clients which can help save lives,” said Halfacre.

HTS issued the following recommendations for pedestrians:

— Cross the street only on crosswalks.

— Never walk in between parked vehicles.

— Before crossing a street look both ways twice and respect all traffic signals.

HTS issued the following recommendations for drivers:

— Yield to pedestrians otherwise you risk being charged $200 and points on your license.

— Be careful with crossing pedestrians even when the light has turned green.

— Adhere to speed limits.

— Keep your windshield clean in order to maximize visibility and be alert at all times for pedestrians.